UCLA College/Student Affairs Speakers Series

1. UCLA College/Student Affairs Speakers Series Data on UCLA Transfer Students UCLA Student Affairs Information & Research Office (SAIRO) March 9, 2006

2. How many transfer students are there at UCLA?[Student Records] • The number of community college students transferring to public institutions in CA grew an average of 5.5% annually between 1999 and 2005. • Numbers of incoming UCLA transfer students have also grown. Fall 1995: 2,194 Fall 2005: 3,150 – now 42% of all new students

3. Enhancing service to transfer students is part of the Student Affairs strategic plan. Student Affairs will: “Implement programs and services that focus on the unique needs of transfer students. …. In the past, transfer students have, in large measure, entered the UCLA experience ‘on the fly,’ missing the opportunity to take advantage of many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. In concert with the Center for Community College Partnerships, Student & Campus Life has initiated an outreach effort to local community colleges better to inform students of services and opportunities available on campus and to enhance the quality of their transition into UCLA. Further, specific Student & Campus Life units will develop programs and services that are responsive to the specific needs of transfer students and to the specific nature of their campus experience.”

4. SAIRO Efforts to Understand the Transfer Student Experience • Evaluation of 2004 UCUES and 2005 Senior Survey data in light of entry status • Transfer Student Survey (TSS) • Developed as a companion piece to the CIRP Freshman Survey • Development enriched by input from colleagues in ORL and the Ashe Health Education Unit • Pilot administration to all new transfer students at UCLA entry in 2005 • In-depth qualitative study of transfer student experience (“Transitions Study”)

5. Sources of Survey Data about Transfer Students • 2005 Transfer Student Survey (TSS) • 1,140 transfer student respondents • 42% response rate • 2005 CIRP Freshman Survey (CIRP) • 2,874 respondents who entered directly from HS • 65% response rate • 2005 Graduating Senior Survey (GSS) • 5,871 responses • 3,281 students entered directly from HS (56% of sample) • 2,590 transfer students (44% of sample) • Over 80% response rate

6. General Statistics on Transfers(Student Records) • Academic Information • 93% came from CA Community Colleges • 20% participated in the Transfer Alliance Program • Personal Information • 54% female (↑)/46% male (↓) • 31% identified a language other than English as their first language (↑) • Race/Ethnicity • 35% White • 3% African American • 28% Asian (↓) • 3% Other Race/Ethnicity • 16% Hispanic • <1% American Indian • 9% International(↑) • 6% Decline to State (↑) = higher than direct students (↓) = lower than direct students

7. Why are they here? Transfer Direct Top 5 reason for attending college: (TSS) (CIRP) Learn more about things that interest me 85% 84% Gain a general education & appreciation of ideas 80% 73% To prepare myself for graduate/ professional school 77% 76% To be able to get a better job 74% 70% To be able to make more money 66% 65%

8. How prepared are they?(TSS) • Transfer GPA is comparable to that of students who enter directly from high school • 87% consulted with an academic advisor at their previous college about transferring • Percent of transfer students who feel that their coursework at the previous college where they took the most classes: • Developed critical & analytical skills 89% • Was intellectually challenging 86% • Prepared me for UCLA’s academic standards 85% • Demanded extensive reading 73% • Demanded intensive writing assignments 73%

9. What are the potential challenges to academic success for transfer students?(TSS) • Financial concerns & student employment • Major concern about financing college • Have a history of student employment • High expectations to work while at UCLA • Living off campus and commuting during their first year • Balancing demands of college life and family life • Plan to live with family or relatives • Personal history of time devoted to household, childcare, and other family responsibilities

10. Examples of potential challenges for transfer students, compared to direct-entry students %

11. Do transfer students expect to find UCLA a welcoming environment?(TSS)

12. How do they see themselves? % of students rating themselves at least “above average” in: % Personal/Interpersonal Academic

13. During their years at UCLA, do transfers engage in cross-cultural interactions at the same level that direct-entry students do?(GSS) %

14. Do transfer and direct-entry students perceive the campus’ “climate” in the same way?(GSS) Students are respected at UCLA regardless of their: %

15. How do transfers & direct-entry students compare in terms of academic & personal engagement?(GSS) %

16. How do graduation rates compare by entry status? (Student Records) % Baccalaureate Degrees Completed in 12 (direct)/6 (transfer) Quarters

17. Next Steps SAIRO will: • Finalize and disseminate the reports of findings from the 2005 TSS and the “Transitions” study, followed by work on focused studies (e.g., analysis of TAP participants). • Administer the 2006 Transfer Student Survey • Merge the 2006 TSS data with post-test data (UCUES, Senior Survey) to evaluate and compare the “pathways to success” for transfer students and for students who enter UCLA directly from high school

18. For more information Jennifer Keup 310-206-5072, jkeup@saonet.ucla.edu or Judith Richlin-Klonsky 310-206-5070, jrichlin@saonet.ucla.edu By April 10, results of the 2005 Transfer Student Survey will be posted at http://www.sairo.ucla.edu